The Road to Nowhere: Brandon Swanson's Disappearance

Nineteen-year-old Brandon Swanson had just completed his last semester at Minnesota West Community and Technical College. Brandon had big plans to pursue a career in the wind energy field after graduation, which was right around the corner. But graduation never happened — not for Brandon, at least.

On the night of May 13, 2008, Brandon was out celebrating the end of the semester with a couple of friends in Canby, Minnesota. According to reports, he spent time with one group earlier in the evening and ended the night with another. Both groups later confirmed that Brandon had not been intoxicated, and none of them had any concerns about his safety when he left.

Brandon knew the drive from Canby to his family’s home in Marshall. This wasn’t a new route, he had driven it many times before. But sometime during the night, something went wrong.

It was reported that Brandon somehow got “lost.” Details remain unclear, but at some point, he veered off course and ended up driving his car into a ditch. He wasn’t hurt, and the car wasn’t damaged — he just couldn’t get it out. It was stuck.

Reports say he tried calling his friends first but got no response. So, around 12:30 a.m., he called his parents.

He told them he believed he was near Lynd, Minnesota, and asked them to come get him. As they drove out, Brandon stayed on the phone with them. At one point, he told them he was leaving his car and walking towards the lights of what he believed was the town of Lynd. As he walked, he continued giving his parents verbal directions, but they were never able to find him.

His parents later reported that he was never panicked or disoriented — just calm and focused, trying to help them find him.

After about 45 minutes, Brandon suddenly yelled, “oh shit,” and the phone went silent. The call never disconnected, but that was the last time anyone ever heard Brandon Swanson’s voice.

Around 6:30 the next morning, Brandon’s parents reported him missing. Initially, law enforcement didn’t take it seriously, stating that it wasn’t uncommon for a young adult to stay out overnight.

Later that morning, Brandon’s car was located — but not anywhere near where he had claimed he was. In fact, it wasn’t even close.

His car was found on a gravel road near Taunton, Minnesota, nearly 25 miles from where Brandon had told his parents he was. The vehicle was abandoned. There were no signs of foul play, no damage, and nothing was missing.

It was as if he simply stepped out and vanished.

Extensive search efforts were conducted involving law enforcement, search and rescue teams, volunteers, helicopters, boats, sonar equipment, and dive teams. Search dogs were also brought in and were able to track Brandon’s scent.

The trail led from his car, through fields, along gravel roads, through a wooded area, and down to the Yellow Medicine River. The scent entered the river, picked up again on the other side, continued for a short distance — and then disappeared.

Despite the exhaustive search efforts, no physical evidence was ever found. No clothing, no phone, no body, not even his glasses.

Nothing that Brandon should have had with him ever turned up.

Just like him.

Brandon Swanson has never been found. His case still remains open and active as one of Minnesota’s most mysterious missing persons cases.

Brandon’s disappearance continues to raise more questions than answers.

Did he fall into the river and succumb to the elements? But then why did his scent pick back up on the other side?

Did he meet someone — or something — that caused him harm?

Was he disoriented and lost? And if so, why was he so calm on the phone?

Or did something far more sudden happen that night?

With no physical evidence ever recovered, the case remains open and hauntingly unsolved — leaving behind only speculation, and a family still waiting.

What do you think happened to Brandon Swanson?

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